U.S. launches military strikes on Venezuela

Explosions were heard and plumes of smoke are rising in the Venezuelan capital Caracas.

The Venezuelan government said the attacks occurred in the capital Caracas on Saturday as well as in the states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira.

"The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela categorically rejects, condemns, and denounces before the international community the grave military aggression carried out by the current Government of the United States of America against Venezuelan territory and people, affecting civilian and military locations in the capital city of Caracas and in the states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira," Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil said.

U.S. President Donald Trump ordered strikes on sites inside Venezuela, including military facilities, U.S. officials told CBS, as the administration early Saturday ratcheted up its campaign against the regime of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

According to Reuters, aircraft and black smoke could be seen across the capital, beginning at about 2 a.m. (06:00 GMT). A power outage affected the southern area of the city.

Sky News Arabia claims the home of Venezuela's Defense Minister and a capital port were hit by shelling. 

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has declared a national state of emergency.